Bangladesh golf eyes a bigger stage with Asian Tour, wider media reach

One of the key voices advocating this broader vision isA M MNazrul Hosen, founder and editor of The Golf House magazine and a memberof the media committee of the Bangladesh Golf Federation.- Golf House

Golf in Bangladesh may not enjoy the same media attention ascricket or football, but the sport is steadily expanding its footprint, withmore tournaments, growing participation and an increasing number of golfcourses and academies across the country.

With the Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF) seeking tostrengthen both amateur and professional golf, stakeholders are also lookingbeyond the traditional boundaries of the sport—towards tourism, corporateengagement, media development and international competitions.

One of the key voices advocating this broader vision is A MMNazrul Hosen, founder and editor of The Golf House magazine and a member ofthe media committee of the Bangladesh Golf Federation.

In an interview with Asian Age, Nazrul spoke at length aboutthe current state of golf in Bangladesh, upcoming tournaments, the possibilityof bringing the Asian Tour back to the country, media promotion, a potentialfranchise-based golf league and the global ambitions of The Golf House.

Asian Tour return in focus

One of the biggest developments could be the return of theAsian Tour to Bangladesh. Nazrul said discussions are already underway andexpressed hope that an event could be staged in November.

“We are already working on the Asian Tour. We are hopefulthat an Asian Tour event can take place in Bangladesh in November,” he said.

Unlike many domestic tournaments, an Asian Tour eventinvolves international professionals, player fees, tournament arrangements anda wide range of logistical requirements.

However, organising such a prestigious international eventrequires considerable financial resources. According to Nazrul, an Asian Tourevent could require a budget of around Tk 10-12 crore, covering tournamentfees, players and other arrangements.

“An Asian Tour is a big event. We are trying to arrange therequired resources through different stakeholders. I hope we will be able to organisethe tournament this soon,” he said.

“Other tournaments can be organised with comparativelysmaller budgets. But an Asian Tour is different because it is an individualprofessional event and the players have to be paid. So we are trying to arrangethe required resources through different stakeholders,” He added.

He added that the BGF is communicating with variousorganisations and stakeholders to make the event possible.

He also informed that State Minister of Youth and SportsAminulHaqueand Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M RashiduzzamanMillat have respondedpositively to the initiative.

More tournaments, more opportunities

Nazrul said the BGF has already organised two NationalAmateur Ranking Tournaments, with events held at Jolshiri Golf Club and Savar.Another ranking tournament is expected at Army Golf Club.

Professional golfers are also receiving regular competitiveopportunities through tournaments organised by the Bangladesh ProfessionalGolfers' Association (BPGA).

He highlighted the CAS Cup Professional Golf Tournamentamong the notable events and said initiatives are being taken to furtherstrengthen professional golf.

Nazrul believes golf should not be viewed only as acompetitive sport.

“Golf is not only a sport; golf is also a tourism business,”he said, stressing the potential of golf to attract international visitors,corporate participants and investment.

Through GolfHouse, an Executive Golf Tournament was alsoorganised with the participation of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister MRashiduzzamanMillat as chief guest.

For Nazrul, promoting golf therefore means promotingBangladesh as a potential golf-tourism destination.

International travel is crucial for professional golfers,and Nazrul believes airlines can become important partners in the developmentof the sport.

He mentioned Turkish Airlines' support and said discussionsare also underway with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

“We have worked with Biman, and they are very positive aboutpromoting golf. Very soon we will discuss an MOU with Biman,” he said.

He said a major issue for travelling golfers is carryingtheir heavy golf bags and that special airline facilities could encourage moregolfers to participate in international competitions.

The missing link: Media attention

Despite the sport's gradual development, golf continues tostruggle for mainstream media attention in Bangladesh.

Cricket and football dominate the country's sportinglandscape, while even successful golfers often remain relatively unknownoutside the golfing community.

Two-time Asian Tour winner SiddikurRahman remains thecountry's most recognisable golfer, but Nazrul believes the sport needs a moresystematic approach to developing golf journalism.

“Media promotion is one of the major areas where we need towork,” he said.

According to Nazrul, journalists need to understand thetechnical aspects of golf before they can effectively report on the sport.

“If someone does not understand cricket, he cannot writeproperly about cricket. Golf is similar. There are rules, terminology anddifferent aspects of the game that journalists need to understand,” he said.

“Those who want to explore golf can certainly do so. We arethinking about educating journalists, sharing information with them and sittingtogether to discuss how to write about golf and how to tell its stories.”

He said the BGF and Golf House are considering organising apress meet involving journalists who cover sports.

“We have many journalists who already write very well aboutgolf. For the new generation of journalists, we want to organise a good eventwhere we can share these things with them,” Nazrul said.

Nazrul also believes Bangladesh could eventually introduce afranchise-based golf league.

“Franchise leagues are possible in golf. LIV Golf is a majorexample. There are also different international formats and tournaments,” hesaid.

The biggest challenge, he acknowledged, is sponsorship. Butwith the corporate sector gradually recovering, he believes such an initiativecould become possible soon.

He also believes the league should not be Dhaka-centric,with Chattogram and Bogura among the possible locations.

GolfHouse eyes theglobal market

While the BGF focuses on developing golf in Bangladesh,Nazrul wants GolfHouse to take the country's golf story to the internationalstage.

“Our vision is to take GolfHouse globally as a Bangladeshiventure and as a promotional vehicle for golf,” he said.

He said the magazine is already working with internationalgolf organisations and tours, including the PGA Tour, Asian Tour and EuropeanTour.

“Our objective is not only to promote Bangladesh golf. We arepromoting golf globally,” Nazrul said.

With more tournaments, junior development, expanding golffacilities, professional competitions and the possibility of an Asian Tourevent, Bangladesh golf appears ready for a larger role.

The challenge now is to turn growing activity on thefairways into wider public interest—and, ultimately, put Bangladesh golf firmlyon the international map.